UNITED STATES PROVIDES ADDITIONAL $2.5 MILLION FOR URGENT COVID-19 ASSISTANCE IN KOSOVO

Pristina, November 10, 2021 -- Today, the United States—through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) —announced $2.5 million in urgent COVID-19 assistance for Kosovo.  This assistance will provide comprehensive support to the administration of COVID-19 vaccines, help promote uptake and access to safe COVID-19 vaccines among all eligible populations and strengthen the overall health system including the replacement of the cold chain system. 

“This assistance is a generous donation from the American people to the people of Kosovo. It's not the vaccines themselves that will stop the virus; it's getting vaccinated. So, mask up, sleeve up, and make sure you and your loved ones are protected. The United States remains committed to fighting this insidious virus with our partners -- that means you. Together, we can fight this virus and stop the spread of COVID-19,” said Zeinah Salahi, USAID/Kosovo Mission Director. 

This additional assistance will be implemented via UNICEF and builds on more than $2.6 million in COVID-19 assistance to Kosovo through USAID during the pandemic.  Since Kosovo confirmed its first case of COVID-19, USAID has worked with frontline workers and communities to slow the spread, care for the affected, and equip Kosovo with the tools needed to fight back against COVID-19.  Last year, USAID distributed 249 hygiene kits to health centers; 7,750 hygiene kits to families, and 2,400 hygiene kits to mothers and babies throughout all of Kosovo’s 38 municipalities.  As school started, USAID also donated hygiene kits to 660 primary and secondary schools. 

In addition, the United States donated 50 brand-new ventilators as part of a support package that included the ventilators’ accompanying equipment, installation, warranties, service plans, and online webinars. The United States delivered laboratory testing equipment and thermal-scanners for placement at the border entries to Kosovo, including Pristina airport and four land border crossings.  More recently, USAID announced a $1 million partnership with UNICEF Kosovo in support of communication and outreach efforts in Kosovo to support COVID-19 prevention and vaccination, and on behalf of the US Government facilitated the delivery of 538,200 doses of Pfizer vaccine. 

The U.S. Government, primarily through USAID, has invested more than $10 million in health assistance to Kosovo over the past 20 years.  These efforts build on decades of life-saving work and U.S. leadership in tackling global health crises. 

Diseases know no borders. The United States is committed to partnering with Kosovo to end the COVID-19 pandemic, mitigate its devastating social and economic impacts, and build back a world that is even better prepared for future outbreaks.